Homily for Fifth Sunday

Recently Chip and Dale learned that their next-door neighbor, Sandy, was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Rather than go to the worksite, Dale went to visit with Sandy. He found her very anxious and unsure what to expect and what would happen to her. Sitting at her bedside, after they spoke for a little bit, he took her hand and prayed with her. His compassionate love filled her with new hope.

Feeling abandoned by friends and by God, Job, as we heard in today’s first lesson, offers a dark reflection on life in this world. He asks, “Is not our life on earth a drudgery?” Sandy felt this way as she dealt with her diagnosis. Try as we might to always look at the bright side of life, we all have times in our lives when we would answer Job’s question with a resounding “yes.” The burdens of life are real. Setbacks in life, receiving unwelcome news, are painful. Headaches and heartache are a part of being human.  Father Louis Bouyer, a theologian and author wrote: The divine Word (i.e., Jesus) shows us what we are involved in, whether we know it or not and whether we like it or not. We are the prisoners of nefarious powers that transcend us. They have gained possession of us through the cowardice and compromises which sin involves and whose significance we had not suspected.” This is not to say that one who suffers is possessed by demons. Nonetheless, evil does oppress us.

Simon’s mother-in-law, who lay sick with a fever, surely was oppressed not necessarily by personal sin, but oppressed by evil, nonetheless, because of our fallen nature inherited after the first sin of Adam and Eve. God is fully aware of our troubles and sent Jesus who offers hope in midst of our burdens and troubles. With compassion, Jesus grasped Simon’s mother-in-law by her hand and helped her up. The fever left and she waited on everyone in the house. As today’s disciples of Christ, we share the responsibility of seeking out and inviting the suffering poor to find hope in Christ through our ministry to them. This same compassion Dale offered to Sandy as he held her hand. There may not have been a physical healing of the brain tumor, but there was a new hope that Jesus would help her.

Jesus had a great sensitivity for persons who suffered, and he wanted to help. After dinner that evening, rather than sit around talking and relaxing with Peter, Andrew his brother, and James and John, Jesus cured many people from the local vicinity who were sick with various diseases. He drove out many demons who were oppressing so many of the townspeople. He had a full day and was tired. So, he went to bed.

Even though he was exhausted and drained of energy as a man, he still worried about his people. Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place where he prayed and regained strength. Simon and the others looked for Jesus in the morning. Having found him, Simon said, “Everyone is looking for you.” Jesus replied telling them there was much work to be done. He said, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.”

Job’s cry of hopelessness stands in marked contrast to the hope of those who put their trust in Jesus who “heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” There is much work to be done in bringing Christ’s sensitive and compassionate love to others. There will be days when you feel life is drudgery; and, lacking energy, you may feel helpless in trying to heal the brokenhearted. Nevertheless, God is fully aware of our troubles and doubts. That is why he sent His son to us. Jesus heals. He heals the pain not just of the people of the past, but the pain of the people of today. Some receive physical healing immediately. Others receive healing in stages. All who call out to the Lord are healed.  Some are healed physically. Some are healed emotionally, able to accept their condition in life. All receive spiritual healing as they unite their pain to the Cross of Christ.

Because you carry Christ within your heart and soul, you are carrying the one who heals. If you believe in him, if you trust him, then you will not despair. Rather, you will recognize that Jesus is present when you need him the most.

Will you reach out to one who suffers, like Simon’s mother-in-law, and like Sandy?  Will you let Jesus bring healing and wholeness through you to others?

God be blessed! Now and forever. Amen.